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Events / Regulatory / Chile Bans School Smartphone Use
Regulatory regulatory change

Chile Bans School Smartphone Use

Analysis based on 6 articles · First reported Dec 03, 2025 · Last updated Dec 04, 2025

Sentiment
10
Attention
2
Articles
6
Market Impact
General
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Market Impact

The new law in Chile could lead to a slight decrease in demand for smartphones and related services from the student demographic, potentially affecting telecommunication companies. However, the overall market impact is expected to be minimal as it primarily targets a specific user group within the education sector.

Education Telecommunications
Event Summary

Chile has passed a bill outlawing the use of mobile phones and other smart devices during classes at elementary and middle schools, set to take effect in March 2025 or the 2026 school year. This move, supported by President Gabriel Boric and Education Minister Nicolás Cataldo, aims to reduce distractions, improve student concentration, and address concerns about mental health and online addictions. Lawmakers Diego Schalper and Marcia Raphael were key authors of the bill. The legislation allows exceptions for emergencies, special educational needs, or medical conditions. This makes Chile the latest country to implement such restrictions, following similar actions in nations like France, Brazil, and the Netherlands. Studies by the OECD and UNESCO highlight the global trend of schools banning smartphone use due to reported disruptions in learning.

Entities Involved
per
Gabriel Boric
Gabriel Boric, the President of Chile, is expected to sign the bill into law, having supported the initiative.
Importance 70.0 Sentiment 10.0
per
Nicolás Cataldo
Nicolás Cataldo, Chile's Education Minister, has publicly supported the new law, emphasizing its role in cultural change for students.
Importance 60.0 Sentiment 10.0
per
Diego Schalper
Diego Schalper, a lawmaker and author of the bill, highlighted the association between mobile phone use and online addictions in children.
Importance 50.0 Sentiment 5.0
per
Marcia Raphael
Marcia Raphael, a lawmaker, stated that the bill aims to boost concentration, performance, community life, and emotional health in young people.
Importance 50.0 Sentiment 5.0
ngo
UNESCO
UNESCO reported that 40% of schools worldwide have banned smartphone use to varying degrees by 2024.
Importance 20.0 Sentiment 0.0
cnt
Chile
Importance 0.0 Sentiment 0.0
alliance
OECD
Importance 0.0 Sentiment 0.0
Relationships
Gabriel Boric president ↔ Chile Gabriel Boric serves as the President of Chile, leading the country's executive branch and directing its domestic and fo
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